Health Center: Office for Students with Disabilities

Welcome

The Office for Students with Disabilities is part of the University Health Center, and is located in Orrico Hall.  The University Health Center strives to advance the mission of the University by providing excellent services from our holistic model of care.  Our educational, clinical, counseling and disability services aim for optimal balance between access to care and effectiveness of services.  We honor and welcome the members of our University community in all their diversity.

In keeping with the central tenets of its mission – teaching, faith and service – the University of Portland is committed to the full access and inclusion of all qualified students in its programs.  The University of Portland does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of its programs and activities, as specified by applicable federal laws and regulations.  The designated coordination point for University compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and for Americans with Disabilities Act is the Vice President for Financial Affairs in coordination with the University Health Center, Human Resources, and the Office for University Events.  

In support of this commitment, the Office for Students with Disabilities serves approximately 65-70 students with disabilities each semester through accommodations such as extended time on exams, housing accommodations, assistive technology and other individually-tailored accommodations, according to student need.  The types of disabilities represented among our student population include learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychiatric disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, and chronic health and mobility impairments.

The Office for Students with Disabilities will:

• assist students in obtaining appropriate documentation of a disability
• develop an accommodation plan for students to ensure necessary and appropriate classroom accommodations
• facilitate non-classroom accommodations
  
  
  

  Physical Plant

  Our beautiful campus is situated atop a Bluff overlooking the majestic Willamette River and downtown Portland.  The University of Portland campus is accessible in most respects, with full access in new and remodeled buildings.  Several buildings have automatic doors, and all classroom buildings are accessible within.  Elevators have been added to several buildings to provide accessibility.  The campus terrain is primarily level, and there are curb cuts and designated parking areas near many buildings to provide access for those using vehicles.

  
  

  Residence Life

  Living and learning in community is an integral part of a University of Portland education.  Several residence halls provide accessibility for wheelchairs, including accessible bathrooms, although not all residence halls are wheelchair-accessible.  New students requiring housing accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities no later than May 1 for Fall Semester or October 15 for Spring Semester.

  
  

  Assistive Technology

  The University has a range of assistive technology available for students, including software applications (including Kurzweil 3000, JAWS, Zoomtext and Dragon Naturally Speaking), an assistive listening system in Buckley Center auditorium, and a CCTV (closed circuit television) in the Clark Library for text enlargement.  Alternate format text materials are available to those needing auditory or large-print formats, including electronic text file formats.  Other assistive technology will be acquired as necessary, according to individual student need.

  
  
  The University of Portland is committed, in addition to meeting the legal requirements of ADA/504, to respect the diversity represented among its community of scholars and to treat all members of the University community with justice, as stated in the University of Portland Bulletin:

Central to the daily life of the University is a concern with issues of justice and ethical behavior. The University encourages service to God and neighbor.

We think that you will find that in addition to enjoying a beautiful setting in which to live and to study, the University of Portland community is welcoming, vibrant, and supportive, while maintaining a high standard within its programs.

We encourage you to browse our web pages here to obtain further information about our services.  Students with Disabilities and students who believe they may have a disability should contact this office as early as possible in order to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability.  Documentation of the disability is required, and providing such documentation is the student's responsibility.  If you have questions or would like to talk further about your individual needs after looking through our web pages, please feel free to call us or send an email.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Melanie Gangle, M.S., C.R.C., Coordinator, Office for Students with Disabilities

Paul Myers, Ph.D., Director, University Health Center